A new executive director is taking over at Mission Community Services Society.
Lisa Nissanov took the reins on Jan. 20 and says the MCSS team has been welcoming.
“Programs are running, staff are passionate about the work they do and I really want to just get to know the groups, get to know the community and how we can contribute and help. I want people in Mission to see themselves in MCSS – that there is something for everyone here at any level,” Nissanov said.
Nissanov is a Mission resident who most recently served as managing director for Reaching Home - Canada's Homelessness Strategy at Vancity Community Foundation.
She hopes to bring the best pieces from other roles to her new job at MCSS.
“I've worked in multi-service agencies where we had housing and food programs and programs for kids, youth and people with disabilities. So I’m familiar with talking about somebody needing a bag of food one minute and the next minute you're talking about a parenting group for newcomers or something like that, right? So [I have] that ability to kind of pivot,” Nissanov said.
Passionate staff is one of the biggest strengths MCSS possesses, Nissanov says. She hopes to clear any hurdles so staff can do their work.
“They are the lifeblood, so to speak, of the agency. Yes, it's new but I'm learning and learning quickly. But I want to move into some actionable items within the organization and the broader community, but being mindful of what's there and what's available and being mindful also of our capacity and capabilities,” Nissanov said.
Nissanov also credited MCSS director of programs Shawn Boulter for doing great work as interim executive director.
“It's a very tough industry. You see people at their worst but you also see them at their best. We've seen clients make those positive changes, or families getting reconnected, or people getting into housing, or getting the treatment that they need. I see the caring but with that comes a lot of professionalism and expertise and I want to build on that,” Nissanov said.
Funding is expected to be a challenge for Nissanov as she takes over as executive director.
“As with any nonprofit, the big issue of course is the funding piece. We are looking at some programs and where we can get funding. There's a big piece in the funding realm where people will fund a project but not longer-term programs,” she said.
Wider issues beyond MCSS control such as inflation and tensions with the United States could also ripple through locally, Nissanov said.
“Obviously, like any community, there's that pressure on housing across the spectrum from the highest need of getting people off the streets to just even just general affordable housing," she said.
In the coming weeks and months, Nissanov will begin working on the MCSS strategic plan.
